Coonamble dog attack: Deputy mayor Paul Wheelhouse and Joel Wheelhouse enter pleas

Paul Anthony Wheelhouse, the 53-year-old deputy mayor of Coonamble and 20-year-old Joel Steven Wheelhouse faced Coonamble Local Court on Tuesday.

The councillor is charged with failure to comply with menacing dog control requirements; a serious indictable offence of hindering an investigation; grievous bodily harm by negligent act; and owning a menacing dog not complying with section 51 or 56.

The prosecution withdrew one failure to comply with menacing dog control requirements charge, and it was dismissed by Magistrate George Breton.

Joel Wheelhouse is charged with the dog attack due to the owner's reckless act; grievous bodily harm by negligent act; a serious indictable offence of hindering an investigation; and being the owner of a dog that attacks a person.

The 20-year-old was charged in July, just two days after Paul Anthony Wheelhouse was arrested.

Mechanic Brendan Clark lost his right arm in the traumatic dog attack police claim took place on June 21 about 11am in a Coonamble yard.

A labourer at the property at the time, the 43-year-old was mauled by two pig-hunting dogs allegedly owned by Paul and Joel Wheelhouse.

Mr Clark suffered cuts, scratches to his cheeks and bite marks.

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Four dogs were removed from the property after the alleged attack, while Mr Clark was taken to John Hunter Hospital.

The matters will return to Coonamble Local Court October 22, with the brief of evidence to be served a week earlier.

Paul Wheelhouse's bail will continue.

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